PLDT Gabay Guro Grand Gathering, A Tribute to Teachers

They say that teachers are our second parents in school. I believe that they are more than that. They are our mentor,  they help shape our minds and motivates us towards growth. They are our inspiration and they inspire us to be the best that we can be. They help us recognize our talents and mold us towards becoming a better person. They are there for us in school, to guide us and help us achieve our goal.

It was very nice to have been around more than 20,000 teachers from different parts of the country  last Sunday, October 5, 2014 at the PLDT Gabay Guro Grand Gathering held at the SM MOA Arena.

In celebration of the National Teachers’ Month, PLDT Gabay Guro (2G), the teacher advocacy group of the PLDT Smart Foundation (PSF) and PLDT Managers’ Club Inc., organized the biggest-ever tribute to teachers through the PLDT Gabay Guro Grand Gathering Throwback Party.

2G has been supporting teachers and students who would like to take up the teaching profession for seven years now. All of 2G efforts are aligned with its six pillars, which are:

1. Teachers’ Training that presents new modules on Emotional Intelligence and
2. IT Literacy and Sustainability;
3. Housing and Educational Facilities;
4. Livelihood Programs;
5. Broadbanding and Computerization of Schools; and
6. Teachers’ Tribute, highlighted by the 2G Grand Gathering.

So far, 2G has awarded around 1,000 scholarship grants to aspiring teachers. It has enabled more than 300 scholars to graduate from its 40 partner schools nationwide. Five of the 2G scholars have continued their quest for higher learning and received Master’s Degree scholarships from the Philippine Women’s University.

In June this year, 2G and PLDT Hong Kong launched a scholarship program for Overseas Filipino Workers’ (OFW) children and dependents. They also sponsored 110 OFW teacher-candidates in their review and venue fees for the Licensure Examination for teachers.

2G and its partners have also donated some 28 classrooms to various public schools in the country, especially those that are located in the calamity-ravaged areas. It was the first organization to build permanent structures in the form of sturdy classrooms after the 7.2-magnitude earthquake that devastated Bohol in 2013. It was likewise one of the first responders in the rehabilitation of typhoon-damaged Leyte.

With all that 2G has accomplished and achieved, I thought that the PLDT Gabay Guro Grand Gathering is a formal event which will award some teachers. To my surprise it turned out to be an astounding throwback concert featuring popular celebrities old and new.

Celebrities who graced the event includes:

 Side A Band

 Eric “Eruption” Tai who gave out gift packs after several teachers performed some of their talents via a”sample“

Jim and James of UMD, Joshua and Jason of the Manouvres,  the Sexbomb Dancers

UP Pep Squad

Pops Fernandez

The Voice Kids Winners: Juan Karlos Labajo, Darren Espanto, Darlene Vibares, and Lyca Gairanod

Noel Cabangon

The pretty Ms. Alice Dixson

Ate Gay, who had me laughing for a good 30 minutes!

Binibining Pilipinas Winners

Rachel Alejandro, Manilyn reynes, Jessa Zaragosa, and Dingdong Avanzado

Sam Milby

M.s Regine Velaszuez and Ogie Alcasid

Aside from the concert, PLDT Gabay Guro Grand Gathering also gave out lots of raffle prizes!

Prizes includes 500 mobile phones from Sun cellular, 500 mobile phones from Smart, laptops from PLDT HOME Bro, laptop and tablet in-one from Microsoft, electric fan with oven toaster package from Fujidenzo, gift packs from various sponsors, myPad3 from myPhone, Cignal prepaid kits, quad core polaroid platinum tablets from PLDT HOME Telpad, Samsung tab 7, a trip for two to Hongkong, tricycle from Honda Philippines Inc., and a motorcycle from PR Savings Bank.

The major prizes include a house and lot from Camella Homes, a brand new HAIMA car from Laus Group of Companies, an APE Piaggo three-wing van from Auto Italia, 10 PLDT KaAsenso Cyberya Internet Café setups, Retailer Phone Kits and Sims from Smart and Sun, and cash prizes.

Among all of the prizes, the most interesting prize was  the PLDT KaAsenso Cyberya which I would like be talking about on a separate post, so stay tuned!

For the mean time, you can drop by Gabay Guro Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/gabayguro and  PLDT KaAsenso Facebook Page : https://www.facebook.com/PLDTKaAsenso for more details and information.